Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

Created: 05/12/16

Replies: 18

Posted May. 12, 2016
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davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 1358

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Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

On page 384, Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting year of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing in the end. She asks her sisters, "Can you honestly say that you wish Henry Kaufman had never run us down on Market Street?" What do you think Constance's answer is? What if it were you—would you agree with Fleurette?

Posted May. 16, 2016
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bestmartin

Join Date: 02/20/13

Posts: 71

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RE: Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

Yes, I agree with Fleurette and I think Constance would too. I do think it goes beyond interesting. It forced each of the sisters to stretch beyond their familiar roles and behaviors and tap into skills and talents they didn't realize they had.

Posted May. 16, 2016
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JLPen77

Join Date: 02/05/16

Posts: 164

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RE: Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

I'm sure Constance would agree with Fleurette, because she found a calling, and because with her sense of justice, after all they went through, Kaufman did end up in prison. (Too bad it was only because he couldn't pay the fine, but at least he was found guilty.) Even Norma, though she might not admit it, might agree, as now their independent way of life could be secure, since Constance ended up with a job. I think bestmartin expressed it well: they all grew stronger and more capable through this experience.

Posted May. 16, 2016
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judithj

Join Date: 04/15/15

Posts: 45

RE: Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

Fleurette was very naive and dramatic. She romanticized all the attention they got, which could have put her and the other sisters in grave danger. I think their circumstances made them rethink their future.

Posted May. 17, 2016
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katherinep

Join Date: 07/16/14

Posts: 71

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RE: Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

I think Constance would have been happier not to have had to fight for justice. It is exhausting. Was it exhilarating / Yes and Constance, who really has a personality that needs to have some interpersonal activity would have welcomed the accident for that reason, though she may have been happier if her entrance into the larger world had been precipitated by something other than the destruction of their vehicle and the possibility of bodily harm. Certainly, the new profession will be very exciting for her. Fleurette, however, is a flipperty gibbert , typical teenager, with no concept of mortality. She saw the whole episode as the riotous romp the book was purported to be. Norma? Norma was fine with her pigeons, thank you very much.

Posted May. 17, 2016
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joyces

Join Date: 06/16/11

Posts: 397

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RE: Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

Fleurette was right and I am sure Constance agreed as someone said. It took them out of themselves and engaged them in their community and made them stronger and more self reliant in many ways. It was exciting yes but as with so many "accidents" in our lives it also taught them something as well.

Posted May. 17, 2016
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dianem

Join Date: 10/25/12

Posts: 65

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RE: Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

I think Constance would agree because it got them both out out of their daily routine of their narrow lives. Constance especiallygrew and possibly found a way to earn money to support them in a job which was interesting to her.

Posted May. 17, 2016
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nancyh

Join Date: 06/25/13

Posts: 147

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RE: Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

Fleurette is a teenager who has had a very lonely life on the farm. I am sure she finds this exciting, however, being young, she does not realize the danger they are in. It was good for Constance because she learned to stand up for herself and her family. She realizes she must look for a future for them. They had been taught to stay away from the town and the law. This has bought them into town.

Posted May. 17, 2016
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ColoradoGirl

Join Date: 05/16/16

Posts: 22

RE: Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

I think Constance would agree that it was an interesting time in their lives, albeit with some danger thrown in. Fleurette seems naïve and not fully aware that there can be bad things that happen to people. It did certainly add some drama!

Posted May. 18, 2016
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tillieh

Join Date: 04/28/11

Posts: 71

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RE: Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

At this point, Fleurette was right about it being the most interesting of her life. However, I think that the other siblings would not necessarily agree because of the "family secret". But I think that in the end, Constance found her true calling and will prove to be a very successful deputy and be light years ahead of her time.

Posted May. 18, 2016
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barbm

Join Date: 02/04/16

Posts: 73

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RE: Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

I think Constance may have taken the opportunity to show Fleurette the larger picture. She may have said... "When your age, it's easy to equate 'interesting' to 'exciting'. While we did have some dangerous experiences, which, of course, were exciting, that's the kind of excitement we can all live without. And we need to live without the drama and fear it entailed. But I do see it as interesting because it was all- consuming. Each of us grew and developed new skills, learned how to protect ourselves and each other. And now I have a job that will support us! You do see the difference, don't you?"

Posted May. 19, 2016
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sandral

Join Date: 04/09/11

Posts: 13

RE: Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

I think Fleurette was very lucky not to have been harmed. She is young and innocent. I agree totally with barbm.

Posted May. 19, 2016
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barb23703

Join Date: 10/04/15

Posts: 53

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RE: Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

It is in this that I believe we see the young Constance in Fleurette's nature, without the oppressive influence of their mother/grandmother. What would have been Constance's demeanor at Fleurette's age had she not been in such a repressive environment. From the affair with the Singer Man to confronting their attacker, we see a fearless nature in Constance.

Posted May. 21, 2016
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donnac

Join Date: 03/26/14

Posts: 126

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RE: Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

I believe there's a Chinese aphorism (more a curse) that goes: May you live in interesting times. "Interesting" can be a double-edged sword. But I think the Kopp girls made the most of their interesting year and grew exponentially for the better. Constance likely agreed even though she viewed their experience through the eyes of a mother hen protecting her brood. Thanks to her they met and rose to the challenges. I'd wager she may have sprouted a grey hair or two.

Posted May. 22, 2016
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edie

Join Date: 04/05/12

Posts: 44

RE: Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

I agree with Fleurette's assessment and found it honest and spot on. The Kopp sisters led such a sheltered life and had so little contact with people outside of their family that it's no surprise she would find it boring. Their rural address did not afford them opportunities to make friends or participate in community events and their limited financial resources left entertainment out of the question. It's no wonder she considers even a "year of harassment" a far better experience than life as usual.

Fleurette, unlike Constance, has not developed a filter to edit her opinions and speaks her sixteen-year-old mind freely. I think Constance agrees wholeheartedly. She was the one who went after Mr. Kaufman to demand justice, who took poor Lucy's plight, and who dove into the role assisting in the investigation--all activities far more interesting than working in the garden and cooking up wormy cabbages or peas that no one liked. But her response would not have been as honest as Fleurette's. Years of learning to live with secrets and to express herself with caution--especially where Fleurette was concerned, would force her to edit her enthusiasm for the adventure and the future it has opened up to her. She would have put on her sternest demeanor and reminded Fleurette of the dangers they faced in confronting Mr. Kaufman, and the many threats a young girl might face in "interesting" encounters. But, she would be smiling to herself.

Posted May. 30, 2016
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Marcia S

Join Date: 02/08/16

Posts: 108

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RE: Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

Fleurette was young and impressionable and viewed the experience as exciting. I don't think she was at all aware of the danger their "run-in" imposed. Anything was better than their usual isolation. Constance was aware of the dangers of the world but was willing to confront them to get justice. I think she grew from the experience and realized how strong she was.

Posted Jun. 01, 2016
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kathleenb

Join Date: 09/14/12

Posts: 72

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RE: Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

I can't say it better than barbm.

Posted Jun. 01, 2016
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barbm

Join Date: 02/04/16

Posts: 73

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RE: Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

Thanks! But I hadnt considered barb23703's perspective that we see the young Constance in Fleurette! That is a new spark to me. I now wonder if behavior that appeared so naive was not much different than Constance's own experience with the Singer man! Hmmm

Posted Jul. 06, 2016
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theresex

Join Date: 05/21/11

Posts: 18

RE: Fleurette suggests that their year of harassment at the hands of Henry Kaufman was also the most interesting of their lives, and therefore might not have been such a bad thing. What do you think Constance's answer is? Do you agree with Fleurette?

I agree with judithj that Fleurette was naive and possibly caused danger to herself and her sisters. I wonder if she just knew that whatever happened, her sisters would have taken care of her---as usual. Fleurette did get on my nerves a bit....